Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 126 · 40 questions

Writing tip (Main idea first): Read the detail sentences and ask: what are they ALL about? The topic sentence names that main idea in one sentence. A sentence about a different topic cannot open the paragraph, however nice it sounds.

1. 1.What is this paragraph mostly about?
   
   Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. We saw a tiger resting on a big rock. The monkeys jumped from branch to branch. A giraffe ate leaves from a tall tree. We watched the zookeeper feed the bears. (a) the village fair (b) flying kites (c) our trip to the zoo (d) a busy railway station
2. 2.What is this paragraph mostly about?
   
   I got a new bicycle on my birthday. It is red with a shiny silver bell. Its seat is soft and comfortable. I ride it to the park every evening. I oil the chain of my bicycle every week. (a) my new bicycle (b) a visit to an old fort (c) making a rangoli (d) a day at the beach
3. 3.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Mishti drinks milk from a blue bowl. She sleeps in a basket near the window. Mishti chases balls of wool all day. (a) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
4. 4.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ The day began with a march past. I ran in the hundred-metre race. Our house won the tug of war. (a) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
5. 5.What is this paragraph mostly about?
   
   Our school sports day was full of fun. The day began with a march past. I ran in the hundred-metre race. Our house won the tug of war. The winners got shiny medals. (a) elephants (b) our trip to the zoo (c) our school sports day (d) our classroom
6. 6.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Its stone walls were very thick. The guide told us about the old kings. From the tower we could see the whole town. (a) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
7. 7.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ We saw a tiger resting on a big rock. The monkeys jumped from branch to branch. We watched the zookeeper feed the bears. (a) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
8. 8.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ It has big windows that let in sunlight. Our desks are arranged in neat rows. We keep our classroom tidy every day. (a) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
9. 9.What is this paragraph mostly about?
   
   An old banyan tree stands in our village. Its branches spread very wide. Long roots hang down from its branches. Birds build nests in its branches. Villagers rest in its cool shade. (a) my best friend (b) making a rangoli (c) the old banyan tree (d) the village fair
10. 10.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Our team scored fifty runs. Imran took the last wicket. Everyone cheered when we won the match. (a) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
11. 11.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It is red with a shiny silver bell. Its seat is soft and comfortable. I ride it to the park every evening. (a) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
12. 12.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Shoppers pick the best onions and potatoes. People bargain loudly over prices. By noon, most of the vegetables are sold. (a) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
13. 13.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Its branches spread very wide. Long roots hang down from its branches. Villagers rest in its cool shade. (a) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
14. 14.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Its branches spread very wide. Long roots hang down from its branches. Birds build nests in its branches. (a) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
15. 15.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Sellers pile fresh vegetables on their carts. Shoppers pick the best onions and potatoes. By noon, most of the vegetables are sold. (a) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
16. 16.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ First we draw the pattern with white chalk. Then we fill it with bright coloured powder. We place small lamps around the design. (a) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) We must not waste water. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
17. 17.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    My best friend is Farhan. Farhan sits next to me in class. My friend always shares his lunch with me. Farhan and I play football after school. He is a true friend who helps me. (a) my best friend (b) our pet cat (c) a day at the beach (d) grandma's garden
18. 18.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The librarian helps us find good books. We may borrow two books every week. Everyone reads quietly in the library. (a) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
19. 19.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    My grandmother has a lovely garden. Red roses grow along the fence. She grows tomatoes and chillies too. She sprinkles the plants every morning. Butterflies visit the marigold flowers. (a) my new bicycle (b) a cricket match (c) grandma's garden (d) the village fair
20. 20.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. First we draw the pattern with white chalk. Then we fill it with bright coloured powder. We place small lamps around the design. Our neighbours stop to admire our rangoli. (a) flying kites (b) making a rangoli (c) the village fair (d) the rainy season
21. 21.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    My grandfather is seventy years old. My grandfather goes for a walk every morning. Grandpa tells us stories of his childhood. Grandpa reads the newspaper after breakfast. My grandfather loves to play chess with me. (a) my best friend (b) eating healthy food (c) my grandfather (d) grandma's garden
22. 22.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    The railway station is always busy. Trains arrive and leave every few minutes. Porters in red shirts carry heavy luggage. Tea sellers walk up and down the platform. Loud announcements tell people about the trains. (a) a visit to an old fort (b) grandma's garden (c) a busy railway station (d) eating healthy food
23. 23.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    Elephants are the biggest land animals. They have long trunks and big ears. An elephant picks up food with its trunk. Elephants eat grass, leaves and fruit. Baby elephants stay close to their mothers. (a) the night sky (b) grandma's garden (c) the vegetable market (d) elephants
24. 24.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Red roses grow along the fence. She sprinkles the plants every morning. Butterflies visit the marigold flowers. (a) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
25. 25.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    Our school library is my favourite place. It has tall shelves full of storybooks. The librarian helps us find good books. We may borrow two books every week. Everyone reads quietly in the library. (a) the school library (b) a day at the beach (c) a visit to an old fort (d) flying kites
26. 26.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It has big windows that let in sunlight. Our desks are arranged in neat rows. A green board hangs at the front. (a) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
27. 27.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ They have long trunks and big ears. An elephant picks up food with its trunk. Baby elephants stay close to their mothers. (a) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
28. 28.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Ants can carry food heavier than themselves. Ants walk one behind the other in a line. Ants store food for the winter. (a) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
29. 29.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    The night sky is full of wonders. Thousands of stars twinkle above us. The moon looks like a silver plate. Sometimes we spot a shooting star. Some stars make shapes in the sky. (a) making a rangoli (b) the village fair (c) a busy railway station (d) the night sky
30. 30.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The waves splashed over our feet. We built a big sandcastle. Dad bought us fresh coconuts. (a) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
31. 31.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    Our class visited an old fort on a hill. Its stone walls were very thick. We climbed up to the tower. The guide told us about the old kings. From the tower we could see the whole town. (a) our classroom (b) the peacock (c) my best friend (d) a visit to an old fort
32. 32.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ I ran in the hundred-metre race. Our house won the tug of war. The winners got shiny medals. (a) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
33. 33.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Dark clouds gather and rain pours down. Children float paper boats in puddles. The monsoon turns the dry fields green. (a) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
34. 34.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Long roots hang down from its branches. Birds build nests in its branches. Villagers rest in its cool shade. (a) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
35. 35.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It has a long, bright blue neck. Its tail feathers have beautiful eye spots. Peahens are smaller and brown in colour. (a) We must not waste water. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
36. 36.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    Ramesh is the postman in our area. He brings letters and parcels every day. He carries a big brown bag of letters. The postman knows every house on our street. We always thank the postman with a smile. (a) our postman (b) elephants (c) grandma's garden (d) ants
37. 37.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The moon looks like a silver plate. Sometimes we spot a shooting star. Some stars make shapes in the sky. (a) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
38. 38.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Fruits give us many vitamins. Dal and eggs build strong muscles. Too many sweets are bad for our teeth. (a) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
39. 39.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    The peacock is the national bird of India. It has a long, bright blue neck. Its tail feathers have beautiful eye spots. A peacock dances with its feathers spread. Peahens are smaller and brown in colour. (a) the peacock (b) making a rangoli (c) saving water (d) a busy railway station
40. 40.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Dark clouds gather and rain pours down. Frogs croak loudly in the wet fields. The monsoon turns the dry fields green. (a) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.

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